Abstract

Antibacterial activities of leaves of Moringa oleifera, Mentha sylvestris, Aegle marmelos and Syzygium cumini

Author(s): D.H.Tambekar, B.S.Khante, A.R.Sule, V.M.Zarey

The flora of Indian medicinal plants is rich in biodiversity and products fromthese plants as medicines though neglected in the recent past are now gaining importance again. Present study highlights the antibacterial properties of green leaves juice and organic extracts obtained from Moringa oleifera, Mentha sylvestris, Aegle marmelos and Syzygium cumini against enteropathogenic bacteria like E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella typhimurium and Proteus vulgaris by disc diffusion method. The extracts of dried powder in methanol, ethanol, acetone and water were also tested against these pathogens. Green leaves juice was excellent antibacterial as compared to extracts from dried powders except in Syzygium cumini. The extracts of Mentha sylvestris did not exhibit any antibacterial activity. Ethanol extract ofMoringa oleifera showed maximum antibacterial activity followed by acetone, aqueous and methanol extracts. Green leaves juice of Aegle marmelos was found to be effective antibacterial agent as compared to organic solvent extracts.